Top 10 Jet Li Movies

One of the most popular stars of Hong Kong martial arts films throughout the 90’s, charismatic wushu champion Jet Li was at one time considered the heir apparent to the original master, Bruce Lee. Bring it to present day, and his catalog of films have truely been inspirational. He has paved the way for a lot of todays finest martial art actors and I brung it upon myself to compile the list of his Top 10 films. We kick off the list with a film that basically introduced him into American living rooms across the states:

While Jackie Chan was porting over films like Rumble in the Bronx and Mr. Nice Guy, Jet Li was starring in blockbuster films to gain his domestic recognition. Jet Li is absolutely dynamic, and brings a real sense of menace to his character of Ku. For the first time, you get the feeling that Riggs and Murtaugh may be up against more than they can handle by themselves. As mentioned, this is Jet Li’s first American film and it’s no wonder he has become a success since. This film paved the way for his mainstream success and lands a nod at the start of the countdown.

For those who like cross-culture, Romeo Must Die is for you! Jet Li, who was fresh from Lethal Weapon 4 really delivers in this action-packed movie. Following a jailed HK police officer named Han (Li) on his quest to learn the truth about his brother’s death. Upon arrival he meets up with Trish (Aaliyah), the love interest. The film is truly a mixed bag. the way it is shot and filmed is truly slick, with a smooth new-style camera and hip visuals.

Trust me, I know The One gets a lot of hate and has started a pretty garbage duo of Jason Statham/Jet Li buddy films like War. But this movie has personally kick started my interested in Jet Li during the time of it’s release, and made my crush on Carla Gugino ignite even furthur. The slow-mo and fast paced action sequences were very cool. The movie has a somewhat involved plot that the filmakers rush too quickly through just to get to the action. I feel that Jet Li is a wonderful actor, and his english has improved with each American film that he has made.

Although much of this movie was spent on character development and plot-setting, and that Jet Li’s fighting prowess was only a small percentage of the action sequences, I have to give this movie a high ranking. The storlyline was easy to digest and the choreography livens up the screen with genuine artistry. He’s supported by a strong cast including Anita Mui and Yu Wing Gong, and with Yuen Kwai at the helm, you expect quality.

The fight scenes are not your typical martial arts kicking and punching. Danny breaks bones, breaks necks, rips people apart and the sound effects can be disturbing. If you love Jet Li and his incredible acrobatic martial art skills, then this one is for you. Being an English speaking picture they had to work around Jet’s limited English. The story however is perfect for that. Jet is a killing machine that has literally been raised like a dog by a cruel master who uses him to enforce his extortion racket as well as using him to fight in an illegal combat arena where victory only comes with your opponents death. Yes. Awesome.

Most people would expect Hero to be higher on the list, and I would agree for the most part. Unparalleled cinematography, great direction with colors so vibrant they jump off your screen and brilliantly staged. But presentation isn’t everything and unfortunately this film had to be ported over in a mainstream setting. It’s a shame and almost a dealbreaker for me that the original language is not in lossless audio and that the English dubwork isn’t very good for this film. If only more care was given to bring this film stateside. Otherwise it is a solid piece of cinema.

The Warlords is an action epic set during an endless war in 19th century China. Jet Li opens the movie as a disgraced General Pang, who was betrayed and only survived a massacre of his troops by the cowardly act of playing dead. The cinematography is outstanding, the budget is huge, the directing brilliant and the war scenes brutal as can be. As for the battle scenes, it may well be the bloodiest I’ve seen so far in Hong Kong cinema. A great addition to Jet Li’s already impressive filmography.

The film which started one of the most famous and successful Hong Kong franchises of all time is one of the best of all the Wong Fei Hung films. One of the most ingenious fight scenes ever seen and probably the most intriguing, emotional and complex storyline of any Hong Kong Martial Arts film make Once Upon a Time in China enjoyable to almost any Martial Art fan.

A lot of these Martial Arts flick aren’t great movies in the traditional sense. It’s the action scenes that elevate these movies from being enjoyable to greatness. While many of these movies are good when there are no action scenes, but in general that is what elevates them. Fist of Legend is one of the greatest Martial Arts movies and one of the all time great movies period. When there is no action the movie is still great and than on top of that we get some of the greatest fight scenes ever captured in film.

Fearless [directors cut] is inspired by the life of Huo Yuan Jia, real-life Chinese martial arts master. Jet Li plays this legendary figure, whose martial arts style and fearless fight helped the people in China regain their pride. Li also succeeds in bringing life and dignity into the character of Huo Yuan Jia. The fight scenes aren’t just ‘cool’ to look at. They demonstrate a realism which pays great attention to detail to the authenticity of actual martial arts styles and limitations. They depict characters dishing out and taking a lot of punishment, which was characteristic of practitioners of the Iron Fist, Iron Palm and Iron Body disciplines of Kung Fu. As you know, it is said that Fearless will be the last martial arts film for Jet Li. I don’t know if it is really true, but I know this is his best film and a fitting way for him to leave.

There you have it. The man, the legend, the icon, Jet Li! Sound off in the comments section and let me know what your thoughts are!

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I prefer Jet Li more than Jackie Chan, because unlike the latter, he’s already played in an award-winning film (Hero). Although Fearless was an okay film to me, I’d have put Hero in the number one spot because of its well-written storyline. However, I wouldn’t have put Romeo Must Die or even The One in my top 10 Jet Li movies. Speaking about the former, it was a compilation of all the worst clichés related to martial art films (revenge, honour and so on).

Anyway, great list. I just haven’t seen Warlords and Once Upon a Time in China.

i love Jet Li Movies a lot… he is the best to me… and that’s a great list, but however havent watched about 97% of jet li’s movies i think this is how the list should be like…..

10. The One
09. The enforcer & Hero
08. Once Upon a Time in China
07. Black Mask
06. Danny the Dog
05. Last Hero In China
04. The Defender(the Bodyguard)
03. Fearless
02. Fist of Legend
01. Evil Cult …….is simple the best among all jet li movies… i really love and enjoy the Evil Cult.

It is refreshing to see a top ten list that includes Fearless, Fist of Legend, AND The Warlords while, even more significantly, putting Fearless in the number one spot, where most people would put Fist of Legend without a second thought. My top three:

Great work! Most of my personal favorite Jet Li films come from the early 90s though. I agree with you on Fist of Legend, which is simply essential. I think I’d add My Father is a Hero, Swordsman II, and even the wacky, barely coherent Kung Fu Cult Master to the list.

To me Fearless wins it all, and Fist of Legend is second. Danny The Dog is third, not so much for the fight scenes but for Jet’s incredible acting. Warlords is awesome, not a typical Li movie at all. OUATIC 1-3 is sooo good, I love those movies! He’s perfect as wong fei hung.

I would have included his first movie, Shaolin Temple in the top 10, because there, you can see him do Wushu, real Wushu, without wires, without CGI, without stuntmen! There you can see why this little fella became 5 times all around national champion at the age of 11! He was not junior champion but won the male section of the competition, against 20 year olds. And it absolutely comes across in this movie. The four season practice scene is so beautifully coreographed (by himself, they had no coreographer, as it was a low budget movie). He performs beautiful butterfly kicks, amongst others.

Fong Sai Yuk (The Legend) is also epic, esp. the fight scene where he and his opponent fight on top of the audience’s heads and shoulders (obviously with wirework but it still looks awesome).

If you like jet li also for his very much improved acting, then you should also watch Ocean heaven, which has no action scenes, it’s a dramam where Li plays a dying father who tries to teach his 22 year old autistic son how to look after himself when daddy dies. Really moving movie and Jet’s absolutely credible in the role. He’s a very loveable father figure with a cute smile.

Ah! Thank you. It is always nice to hear that someone likes my design work on the site. I spend probably more time on design then I do movie watching (how sad is that?). But, Warlords is a great film, and definitely something different than your everyday Jet Li film, but Red Cliff is an even better movie. Epic in scale, it has a 4 hour running time and is directed by John Woo. If War films are your cup of tea, like Kingdom of Heaven, and Gladiator…then you can’t go wrong with those two choices.

1) Once upon a time in china
2)Fist of Legend
3)Kiss of the Dragon
4)Fearless
5)The Warlords
6)Twin warriors (I think that’s what it’s called…)
7)Unleashed
8)The Enforcer
9)Black Mask
10)The Forbidden Kingdom (I liked it because Jackie was
in it too!!)

I didn’t like Romeo Must die or The One. Hero… not my kind of movie either…

basically i kike jet li because he is the martial arts hero of the world/., most of the fight sequences he do perform with out any substitute like other heros/., his fight sequences are really highly superb/., and extra ordinary/., his fights will be very fast and long /., i am expecting more movies from him

What about Once Upon a Time part II. Part one is a better movie but part two has better fight scenes. I think part 2 is better than most of the Jet Li American film releases. Plus Tai Chi Master is really cool.

According to me 1.Fearless2.Once upon a Time in china 33.Once upona Time in china 2
4.Last Hero in china5.Fong Sai yuk 2
6.The Hero7.Tai chi Master8.Evil cult9.Shaolin Temple
10.Once Upon a Time in China 1